Naawi-Oodena facts for kids
Naawi-Oodena is a special place in Manitoba, Canada. Its name comes from the Ojibwe language, meaning "centre of the heart and community." It is the biggest urban reserve in both Manitoba and all of Canada.
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What is Naawi-Oodena?
Naawi-Oodena is a large piece of land, about 64 hectares in size. To give you an idea, that's like 160 football fields! It's located right on the edge of two neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, called Tuxedo and River Heights.
The History of Naawi-Oodena
From Military Base to New Community
For many years, this land was used by the Canadian military. A group called the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry had a base there until 2004. After they left, the government wanted to sell the land.
In 2007, the government tried to sell the land to a company called Canada Lands Company. But several First Nations groups said they had a right to the land. They believed it was theirs because of old agreements and their history in the area.
The Fight for the Land
The First Nations groups went to court to stop the sale. In September 2009, a judge agreed with them. The judge said the government had not talked enough with the First Nations before trying to sell the land.
The government tried to appeal this decision, but they lost again in 2012. Finally, in 2015, the Prime Minister at the time, Stephen Harper, announced that the government would stop fighting. He said the First Nations could have the land. The old military buildings, known as Kapyong Barracks, started to be taken down in 2018.
A New Beginning for First Nations
In 2019, the legal ownership of the land was given to seven different First Nations. These nations are part of Treaty 1, which is an important agreement made a long time ago. The seven nations are:
- Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
- Long Plain First Nation
- Peguis First Nation
- Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
- Sagkeeng First Nation
- Sandy Bay First Nation
- Swan Lake First Nation
On December 16, 2022, Naawi-Oodena officially became an urban reserve. This means it is a special area of land within a city that is managed by First Nations. It is now the largest urban reserve in both Manitoba and all of Canada.
